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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

As an author, I write stories to give hope. Yes, I
always add romance as the plot is usually about someone's dreams being
fulfilled. Maybe not as they'd visualized but with a wonderful end result. And I
always allow my main characters to grow emotionally and
spiritually.

There's no doubt hope is what keeps us going...moving
forward and never giving up. God has given us that ability. Even so it is still
a choice we have to make even when things seem impossible.

Thousands of
years ago when God allowed the Jews to be be captured by the King
Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of the Babylonian kingdom, He gave them hope for their
future. Yes, they'd sinned against His Word, by listening to evil prophets and
diviners, consequently being caught up with horrible practices. Yet even after
they'd been carried off to a far land he granted them hope. Hope that if they
repented of their wrongdoing, He would again bring them back into their own
land. In fact He said an amazing thing to them through the prophet Jeremiah. We
read:

"I will fulfill my gracious promise
to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to
you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart."

We may face some limiting circumstances today. We may
have lost a dear one, or are facing financial difficulties, or a debilitating
illness. Now is the time to seek the Lord with all your heart. Find your hope in
Him for the coming year.

My friend, read John's Gospel and you will
find hope in Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May God bless
you.Rita Stella

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

A young man shared how he worked on a farm in Paraguay. The farm had various
crops and a few sheep. Now the ewes had just lambed and the farmer picked one
and gave it into the young man's care. The farmer said as long as he fed and
petted it, the lamb would follow him everywhere.

The farmer named it Navidadwhich is Spanish for the word Christmas. Sure
enough that little lamb followed the young man everywhere and he grew very fond of it.
He thought it must have been a special pet that the busy farmer had no time to
look after. He formed a real bond with Navidad - similar to a man and his
dog.

Time passed and as the end of the year approached, the young man had a
disturbing thought. Had there been any particular reason why the lamb was named
Christmas? Then the sad truth sank in. It all made sense now. Navidad was to be
offered as their Christmas dinner. His little lamb to be killed just so they
food to eat? He was truly saddened. Because the farm was poor, Navidad the
little Christmas lamb must die ... so that they might live.

For the first time in his life he understood something of how God felt when
His Son died on the cross taking on Himself the penalty of our sins. Jesus truly
died that we might live. How deeply it cut the Father's heart to offer His own
Son Jesus.

Mercifully the little lamb didn't know what would happen as it went quietly
to be slaughtered ... but Jesus did and His suffering was great. Earlier in His
ministry, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and cried out, 'Behold! The Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world.' His amazing sacrifice was foretold by the prophet Isaiah in the Holy Bible. (
Isa.53:5-7.)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

How could one small baby bring peace between men out to harm each other?That's what Canadian missionary Don Richardson
asked himself. He and his
college sweetheart Carol had married and then felt the call of God to share the
good news with the Sawi tribes-people of Irian Jaya.After many months working among
these volatile warring tribes, one day he threatened them as they began fighting
outside his house.He cried out loudly that he'd go
and work among other villagers if they didn't quit their feuding and make
peace. Suddenly one man ran off and took his baby son from his wife.
She screamed and wrenched it away
from him. Then another man from the opposition hurried to his house and took up
his baby son. His wife shrieked and wailed but couldn't stop him when he handed
over their baby to a man who he had been fighting. As the man accepted the child
others laid hands on it amidst women's cries.

Deeply shattered by this show of
great emotion Don asked what was happening."This is the only way to make peace
between us," he was told. "As long as the Peace Child lives we are safe."Don had the answer. He told them
how God the Father had sent His only Son as a Peace Child between men. Wicked
men killed Jesus, but He rose from the deadbecause He was God's Son and He lives
forever. So they had no need to do this anymore once they believed in Him
because the sacrifice of His Peace Child lasts as long as Jesus lives. And He
will never die again.And this Christmas we can thank our
Father for sending His Son to give us His peace in our hearts. May you all know
the blessing of His lasting peace. Remember there is nothing we can add to His
perfect sacrifice, but to accept it and honor Him with our right
living.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

When times are tough try taking the following steps to get on the same page!

Confront the problem. If your spouse says, “We’re fine”
and doesn’t want to talk about it, there probably is something going on.
Arrange to meet later and discuss what you’re thinking about.

Confess it!
Yes, confess! It’s much easier to pass judgment and blame your spouse. But
even if the problem may be 90% something your spouse is responsible for, you
still are responsible for 10%. A loving marriage admits fault!

Rita Stella Galieh

About this Blog

It's exciting to trace God-incidences in lives, especially the unique way He leads His own children. He not only directs their paths, but also causes their path to intersect with the one person who will love and cherish them forever. This blog is written to encourage both young and mature women to pray about and wait for that special person God places in their path. Proverbs 3:5-6 holds a definite promise for a joyous and purpose-filled life. Why not share your story with me so I can publish it here? Email me: ritagalieh(at)gmail(dot)com.

Those We Love

They say the world is round,And yet I often think it's square;So many little hurts we getFrom corners here and there.There is one truth in life I've foundWhile journeying east and west,The only folk we really woundAre those we love the best.

The choicest garb,The sweetest grace,Are oft to strangers shown;The careless word,The frowning face,Are given to our own.We flatter those we scarcely know,We please the fleeting guest,And deal full many a thoughtlessBlow to those we love the best.